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Plant colourful, evergreen Phormium 'Cream Delight' in a patio pot to brighten winter displaysTake care not to walk over borders or on lawns where spring bulbs and flowers will be emergingOrder young plants from mail-order companies

't miss a bargainFinish clearing fallen leavesTurn off the mains water supply to outside taps and wrap with insulation to prevent freezingWater pots of spring bulbsFloat waterproof pond heaters in fish ponds to prevent ice covering the surfaceGive pots

Pick dead flower-heads off rhododendrons and azaleasHoe borders to keep down weeds, or treat with weedkillerScoop floating weed out of garden ponds with a netFeed lawns with a liquid or granular lawn fertiliserTrim hedges like privet and Lonicera

Prepare soil ready for sowing a lawn or laying turf during September and OctoberTop up water levels in pebble fountains and poolsDeal with problem lawn weeds, digging them out or applying herbicideOrder spring-flowering bulbs to plant this autumn

Remove suckers from roses, shrubs and around the base of trees, like cornus and sorbusTrim box topiary and hedgingCut laurel hedges using secateurs so you don't damage the remaining leavesSpray mare's tail with a weedkiller such as glyphosate

over ponds or water features to stop autumn leaves falling inBuy spring bulbs for autumn plantingOrder bare rooted roses, shrubs, fruit trees and hedging to plant over the coming monthsBrush away fungi and mushrooms growing on lawnsBuild a leaf bin out

Collect and compost autumn leaves Cut back suckers growing around the base of treesVisit garden centres to choose bulbs and bedding for spring displaysMow lawns less frequently now grass growth is slowing downComplete new lawn laying projects during

Clean and sharpen pruning toolsRepair and treat fencing and timber structures while climbing plants are dormantBring all watering equipment indoors, including hoses and sprinklersWrap insulation around outside taps and cut off the water supply

final collection of any autumn leaves still lying aroundSearch through seed and bulb catalogues for new things to grow this coming seasonRepair wobbly or damaged fences and treat wooden structures with preservativePut out fresh water for birds every day